Homebrewing 101: Learn how to brew your own beer
Do you want to broaden your beer horizons beyond the run-of-the-mill macros that crowd store shelves? Even better, do you want to have a hand in the hops, bask in the barley and brew your own beer?
Then you’re a perfect candidate for the Allegheny County Homebrew Workshop and Demo to be held at the South Park Home Economics Building later this month.
The event, from 9 a.m. to noon April 22, will be led by members of the Three Rivers Underground Brewers homebrew club – better known as TRUB – and will feature an interactive three-hour class featuring everything from tasting different malts, smelling various hops, cleaning and sanitizing containers, mashing and bottle conditioning.
After the class, participants will partner with a TRUB member to put their newly-learned homebrewing skills to the test, and freshly-brewed beers will be sampled by the public, which will vote for the favorite homebrew batch.
“The workshop will provide everything you need to know to be a homebrewer,” TRUB member and Peters Township resident Gregor Bender said. “There’s a lot of freedom in homebrewing. You can tailor the recipe to your liking. It also shows how good really fresh beer can taste.”
Even though TRUB has been in existence for over 10 years, this will be the third year for the homebrewing workshop. A dozen people participated during the first workshop, but this year’s event could see as many as 20 participants. Bender said as much as 60 to 70 gallons of homebrewed beer is expected to be served to those who attend the free demo following the workshop.
Bender, a tour guide for PA Brew Tours who’s been homebrewing most of his adult life, isn’t surprised by the sudden interest in homebrewing and craft beers.
“There’s a resurgence in being a maker and having a hand in the foods you make,” Bender said. “Beer is a very perishable, living product. People want to get it as fresh and flavorful as possible.”
While the workshop will focus on making beer and having a good time, the event will also shine the spotlight on a cause that is near and dear to Bender and his fellow TRUB members. The workshop will raise awareness for TRUB’s annual “Brewing Up A Cure” event, which raises money for the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Over the past decade, TRUB has raised $250,000 to help fight cystic fibrosis.
“The workshop really does a good job raising awareness for the club and for Brewing Up A Cure,” Bender said.
And what kind of homebrew does Bender hope to make during the workshop?
“I like to use ingredients from my garden,” Bender said. “I’ve used carrots and beets in my brews. Anything you can ferment, I’ll put in a beer.”
The cost of the workshop is $50 for Allegheny County residents and $62 for non-residents. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, go online to www.alleghenycounty.us/special-events/craft-beer-week.aspx.